Helen Jones

Labour Party | Warrington North

WARRINGTON HEALTH SERVICE

Sometimes when you read some of the national papers you would be forgiven for thinking that the health service is in a state of total collapse and that if you need to go to hospital you are taking your life in your hands!  But if you think about the reality of the situation you realise that most of the millions of people who use the service every year receive a good service which they are satisfied with.  Almost without exception,   the people in Warrington  I talk to on my mobile surgeries and in the street who have had personal experience of our health service speak highly about the care they have received.  The NHS remains one of our country’s national treasures.  Improvements can always be made but I believe that free healthcare for all is the mark of a society that cares and I regard securing a healthy future for the NHS as one of my most important tasks.  That is why,  last year,  I fought,  successfully,  to save services which were going to be transferred from Warrington to Halton hospital.

The Secretary of State for Health has recently announced that North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust is to receive £100,000 in extra funding as recognition for the success of the staff in treating the vast majority of A&E patients in less than 4 hours.  This was excellent news which should also be regarded as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the staff. 

We can,  however,  improve the situation even further but I believe we should all play our part.  For example,  every A&E doctor has stories of spending valuable time on patients who would be better off seeing a pharmacist.  This is not necessarily because people are thoughtless,  but because they are understandably confused and concerned by their illness.  Equally,  some people with really serious conditions don’t want to bother busy doctors and nurses and don’t attend A&E.

To try to tackle these problems the government has announced that Thomson Local directories will now include easy to use,  step by step healthcare advice and information covering many of the most common adult and child health care problems with advice on how to treat symptoms at home where appropriate.

If we can take even 5% off the burden of our local hospital it will have real benefits not least because those who need hospital care will be treated more quickly and have more time devoted to them. 

The guide will help equip people with the information they need to make healthcare decisions.  There are now more healthcare options available than ever before including NHS direct and local pharmacies which could and should be used.  By making the right choice at the right time,  people will get the fastest,  and the best possible treatment.

You can contact Helen Jones MP –

• by letter to House of Commons,  Westminster,  London SW1A 0AA or Gilbert Wakefield House,  67 Bewsey Street,  Warrington,  WA2 7JQ;
• by fax on 01925 232 239
• by phone on 01925 232 480
• by e-mail at jonesh@parliament.uk